I have all these opinions bumping around my head, figured I get them out and hopefully help some people in their choice of books. If you have any questions as to where and how I get these books, please don't hesitate to ask.

Cassandra Bainbridge is somewhat of a bluestocking. She loves reading and has a fascination with hot air balloons. Her fascination with them rules her life, except when she’s around one man. Her passion for him has sparked some less then ladylike thoughts and actions. It’s a shame he has an extreme dislike for her other passion, balloons. When an accident happens leaving her with massive scars and barely able to walk Cassandra calls off he engagement feeling like it’s God’s punishment for the liberties she and her fiancé have taken.

Geoffrey Giles has become the new earl of Whittaker by force after his brother dies leaving him with everything. It’s a role he doesn’t want and he knows that Cassandra doesn’t want it either. After she gets burned and calls of the wedding, Geoffrey goes home to lick his wounds and stop a revolt of the Luddites, the people threatening to take down all his family, and other families, have worked for. But he still needs to convince Cassandra that he still loves her scars and all and he can’t be in two places at once.

The attraction that has led them astray too many times is still there and it makes it difficult for Cassandra to hold to her convictions. The more Geoffrey tries to convince her that he still loves her the more Cassandra doesn’t believe him, but danger keeps thrusting then together despite the fact that they try to avoid each other. Cassandra just wants to fly in her balloons and read some books, Geoffrey just wants Cassandra in his life as his wife.

Can Geoffrey convince Cassandra that he loves her as she is or will Cassandra lose the best thing to happen to her? Will Cassandra convince Geoffrey that balloons aren’t so dangerous or will Geoffrey forbid her to ever fulfill her dream of riding in one? Will Cassandra be able to believe that her scars don’t make her ugly or damaged but beautiful in her strength?
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I was actually really excited about this book. Having read two other books by this author, I was excited to see what else this author could do. I was a little disappointed in this book. Compared to her other series this story really wasn’t as good. The idea that you would break up an engagement because of some kissing and because of some scars is kind of ridiculous. If you loved somebody, would you give them up because of an accident?

The storyline was a little unrealistic to me. The Luddite revolt and everything that went with it seemed probable and I could see that happening, but Cassandra’s view of her romance with Geoffrey is strange. The feelings of inadequacy would arise after you’ve been burned so bad you can barely walk, but I feel like the Cassandra went a little melodramatic on me by saying it was God’s punishment for their actions, actions that were considered scandalous back then but now are just part of most relationships. I feel like if Cassandra wasn’t so adamant that that was God’s way of saying that they were bad for each other and instead it was more about the fact that she felt inadequate to be the wife he needs now, it would’ve greatly improved the story.

The romance was a typical Christian genre romance. Not much passion or many intimate moments between the characters. The romance lagged at times and during certain points of the book it actually took a back seat to the trouble with the Luddites. The ending of the romance, however, was really sweet and filled in a lot of missing pieces to the puzzle and touched me, but overall this isn’t a romance that will be remembered for years to come.

The suspense element was also typical of this kind of book and was really easy to figure out. I didn’t want to but I figured it out before a quarter of the book had gone by. However, you don’t pick up the book for the suspense you pick it up for the romance, so this suspense was a nice surprise though an easy surprise to guess. It adds a bit of tension to the book and adds a little mystery for people who aren’t avid suspense readers. The suspense, though easy to figure out, was an added plus to this book and added some distraction from a lackluster romance.

This author made me a fan with her first book with Revell and I was excited for this one. Though, it was a little disappointing, this book isn’t much different than most historical romances in the Christian market and for those of you who enjoy that, you’ll probably love this book. I do intend to still read more by this author. I’m still a fan and probably will be for a while. I loved her midwives’ series and hope she returns to something more similar to that.

Overall, a good average Christian romance, but it can leave the reader wanting more. I recommend this for anyone who likes a complex romance without too much passion. This book is perfect for adults, but I think teens could read it as well. I give this book a three out of five.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell in exchange for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.*